Overview

• The U.S. birth rate has fallen to 1.62 births per woman in 2023, well below the replacement level of 2.1, prompting concern over economic and demographic challenges.
• The Trump administration is reviewing several pronatalist proposals, such as a $5,000 cash bonus for new mothers and reserving 30% of Fulbright scholarships for married individuals or parents.
• A forthcoming White House report, due by mid-May 2025, will outline strategies to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable and accessible, a key campaign promise from Trump.
• Other ideas being discussed include government-funded programs to educate women about their menstrual cycles to improve understanding of fertility and conception timing.
• The administration’s efforts, influenced by Project 2025 and figures like Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk, emphasize traditional family structures but face criticism for potentially excluding nontraditional families.